Types of Claims

1. Claims of Fact. (existence of something/definition or classification/facts --

inferences about past present or future)

Types of factual claims (generally "objective")

1. Factual / historical
2. Relational - causal connections
3. Predictive

proof requires:

4. sufficient and appropriate grounds

1. reliable authority
2. recent data
3. accurate, typical data
4. clearly defined terms -no loaded language
5. a clear distinction between fact and inference.

2. Claims of Value (taste & morals / good-bad) [make value judgments/ resolve
conflict between values/ quasi policy (rightness of it; relative merit)]

proof requires:

1. Establishing standards of evaluation (i.e. a warrant that defines what

constitutes instances of the relevant value)
2. note the priority of the value in this instance.
3. Establish the advantage (practical or moral) of your standards.
4. Use examples to clarify abstract values
5. Use credible authorities for support.

3. Claims of Policy (action / should or ought) - usually involves sub-claims of

fact and value

proof requires:

1. Making proposed action clear

2. need (justification)
3. plan, (must be workable)
4. benefit (advantages)
5. consider opposition / counter arguments